Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) impair the gut barrier and immune function, promoting inflammation and highlighting microbiome-targeted therapies’ therapeutic potential. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the changes in SCFAs in IBD...

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Main Authors: Laura Chulenbayeva, Zharkyn Jarmukhanov, Karlygash Kaliyekova, Samat Kozhakhmetov, Almagul Kushugulova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1017
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author Laura Chulenbayeva
Zharkyn Jarmukhanov
Karlygash Kaliyekova
Samat Kozhakhmetov
Almagul Kushugulova
author_facet Laura Chulenbayeva
Zharkyn Jarmukhanov
Karlygash Kaliyekova
Samat Kozhakhmetov
Almagul Kushugulova
author_sort Laura Chulenbayeva
collection DOAJ
description Background: Reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) impair the gut barrier and immune function, promoting inflammation and highlighting microbiome-targeted therapies’ therapeutic potential. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the changes in SCFAs in IBD and their potential role in the occurrence and development of IBD. Methods: The analysis employed a random-effects model to assess the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval. A literature search was conducted in databases from 2014 to 20 July 2024 to identify studies investigating SCFAs in IBD. Results: Subgroup analyses revealed a significant reduction in fecal SCFA levels—specifically butyrate, acetate, and propionate—in all IBD subgroups compared to healthy controls. Active IBD showed a greater decrease in butyrate (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and UC showed a notable reduction in propionate (<i>p</i> = 0.03). When comparing UC and CD, differences were observed mainly in propionate (SMD = −0.76, <i>p</i> = 0.00001). Dietary interventions in IBD patients led to increased SCFA levels, with butyrate showing the most improvement (SMD = 1.03), suggesting the potential therapeutic value of dietary modulation. Conclusions: In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates a significant reduction in fecal SCFA levels in patients with IBD, particularly during active phases of the disease and most markedly in CD.
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spelling doaj-art-c25cbb8c840844bdbcb5f315abb674692025-08-20T02:45:37ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-07-01157101710.3390/biom15071017Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisLaura Chulenbayeva0Zharkyn Jarmukhanov1Karlygash Kaliyekova2Samat Kozhakhmetov3Almagul Kushugulova4Laboratory of Microbiome, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanLaboratory of Microbiome, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanDepartment of Pharmacology, Medical University Astana, Astana 010000, KazakhstanLaboratory of Microbiome, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanLaboratory of Microbiome, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanBackground: Reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) impair the gut barrier and immune function, promoting inflammation and highlighting microbiome-targeted therapies’ therapeutic potential. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the changes in SCFAs in IBD and their potential role in the occurrence and development of IBD. Methods: The analysis employed a random-effects model to assess the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval. A literature search was conducted in databases from 2014 to 20 July 2024 to identify studies investigating SCFAs in IBD. Results: Subgroup analyses revealed a significant reduction in fecal SCFA levels—specifically butyrate, acetate, and propionate—in all IBD subgroups compared to healthy controls. Active IBD showed a greater decrease in butyrate (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and UC showed a notable reduction in propionate (<i>p</i> = 0.03). When comparing UC and CD, differences were observed mainly in propionate (SMD = −0.76, <i>p</i> = 0.00001). Dietary interventions in IBD patients led to increased SCFA levels, with butyrate showing the most improvement (SMD = 1.03), suggesting the potential therapeutic value of dietary modulation. Conclusions: In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates a significant reduction in fecal SCFA levels in patients with IBD, particularly during active phases of the disease and most markedly in CD.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1017short-chain fatty acidbutyrateacetatepropionateinflammatory bowel diseaseCrohn’s disease
spellingShingle Laura Chulenbayeva
Zharkyn Jarmukhanov
Karlygash Kaliyekova
Samat Kozhakhmetov
Almagul Kushugulova
Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Biomolecules
short-chain fatty acid
butyrate
acetate
propionate
inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease
title Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort quantitative alterations in short chain fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease a systematic review and meta analysis
topic short-chain fatty acid
butyrate
acetate
propionate
inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1017
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AT karlygashkaliyekova quantitativealterationsinshortchainfattyacidsininflammatoryboweldiseaseasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT samatkozhakhmetov quantitativealterationsinshortchainfattyacidsininflammatoryboweldiseaseasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
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